Easel with a built-in Connecting Device for a Mounting Mechanism

ABSTRACT

A way to convert a camera tripod into an artist easel. The easel consists of a one or two arm design employing a built-in adapter, or connecting device in the center of the arm(s) of the attaching easel whereby the easel arm attaches directly to the mounting device of the tripod by way of the connecting device, allowing the tripod features to be extended to the easel. Attributes such as the tilting, raising, and rotating features of the tripod are then incorporated and translated as new easel functions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No.62/195,550, filed Jul. 22, 2015 by the present inventor.

BACKGROUND Field

This application relates to an easel, specifically artist and displayeasels.

Background of the Invention

U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,623—granted to Michael C. Louridas on Aug. 11, 1998performs the same function of combining, adapting, and connecting aneasel to a camera tripod as this embodiment. I found that Louridas'solution was too complicated. This embodiment is much simpler andeliminates the need for a middle carriage bracket to interface betweenthe camera tripod and easel arm.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENT

This embodiment features an easel arm, or arms, that attaches directlyto a camera tripod-like mounting mechanism using an embedded connectingdevice and optional drill hole for a mount nipple(s) or guide. Thisempowers the user to cost and space savings, along with adding thetripod-like features to the easel. The easel allows for the work pieceto be secured to the tripod, and be manipulated for height adjustment—totilt, be rotated, and/or swivel according to the capabilities of thetripod. Now the easel performs more than just a resting place for thework piece. The marriage of the easel and tripod functions allow for anew hybrid unit to be created. This embodiment now affords more utilityand value to the owner.

The advantage of this embodiment over prior art is the simplicity ofdirectly attaching to the camera tripod mount and forgoing the perceivedneed for an intermediary carriage bracket interface as taught byLouridas—U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,623. There is a significant improvement inthis embodiment that saves on the cost to manufacture the parts, andthus lowers the price of the product, and also eliminates having extraparts that could break down.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1D—illustrate the easel arm with the connecting device for themounting device along with the sliding bar clamps.

FIG. 1E—illustrates a two arm embodiment with the embedded connectingdevice.

FIG. 2A—side view sketch illustrating the easel arm attached to a cameratripod.

FIG. 2B—front view sketch illustrating the easel arm attached to thecamera tripod.

FIG. 2C—sketch of a tripod head with ball that will rotate.

FIGS. 3A-3C—sketches of a canvas mounted on the easel and connected to atripod, in various positions.

FIG. 3D—sketch of easel in the horizontal position that rotates.

FIG. 4A—side view of an easel arm attached to a camera head mount,attached to a wall mount, attached to a wall.

FIG. 4B—side view of an easel arm attached to a telescoping arm,attached to wall mount, attached to a wall.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

1-Easel arm 2-Connecting device (insert nut) adapter 3-Drill hole forinsert nut 4-Small drill hole 5-Nipple on camera mount 6-Threaded screwon camera mount 7-Camera mount (detachable here) 8-Sliding bar clampassembly 9-Side arms 11-Insert nut 12-Thumb screw 13-Camera Tripod14-Camera Mount w/rotational ball 15-Canvas 16-Screw 17-Bolt 18-WallMount 19-Wall 20-Telescoping Arm 21-Easel Arm Assembly

PARTS LIST Detailed Description

-   1—Easel arm—the main arm of the easel that connects to the camera    tripod mount by way of the connecting device.-   2—Connecting device—in this case an insert nut with an ¼″ inner    threaded nut secured into the rotating arm which the camera mount    screws into and held in place by the nipple on the camera mounting    device.-   3—Drill hole for insert nut (2).-   4—Small drill hole on the easel arm for the nipple (5) on the camera    mount.-   5—Nipple on camera mount.-   6—Threaded screw on the camera mount which screws into the threaded    insert nut (2).-   7—Camera mount—usually detachable and attaches onto the easel arm by    way of the connecting device (insert nut).-   8—Sliding bar clamp assembly—the unit that slides up and down the    easel arm and secures the work piece to the easel.-   9—Side arms attached to the main easel arm (1) for the two arm    embodiment.-   11—Insert nut—secured into the front of the sliding bar clamp for    the thumb screw to enter and secure onto the easel arm.-   12—Thumb Screw—screwed into the front of the sliding bar clamp    through the insert nut and presses onto the easel arm.    -   Clamp to box in the easel arm.-   13—Example of a standard camera tripod assembly.-   14—Example of Camera Tripod Head Mount with Rotational Ball.-   15—Canvas.-   16—Screws to secure the wall mount to the wall.-   17—Bolt on wall mount to connect a mounting device or telescopic    arm.-   18—Wall mount to interface with the wall and the easel arm directly,    or with a telescoping arm.-   19—Wall.-   20—Telescoping arm to attach to the easel arm and wall.-   21—Easel arm assembly—includes the easel arm(s) with threaded insert    and the sliding bar clamp assemblies.

Necessary Building Tools—

1. Table saw 2. Orbital sander 3. Drill bits 4. Screwdriver 5. Drillpress

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Most every artist and presenter requires an easel to display and securetheir workpieces. Many visual artists also engage in both painting andphotography. Thus, the need for a camera tripod and easel. With thisembodiment, the artist or presenter can simply and quickly convert anordinary camera tripod using a standard mounting device into an artisteasel with the combined attributes of both devices.

The versatility of the camera tripod transfers over to the easelattachment. If the tripod has adjustable legs, the adapted easel thensupports varying height adjustments. Likewise, if the tripod headswivels, rotates, or tilts—so will the easel.

This embodiment is a simple and direct solution to solve the problem ofuniting two formerly different and segregated pieces of equipment. Thecost is reduced along with saving space, and the simple solutioneliminates extra unneeded parts that could break down. Consolidatingredundant items saves money and space which could now be both put tomore productive uses

This embodiment is designed to quickly interface with a camera tripodmount to convert the tripod into an easel with all the attributesincluded in the tripod. Depending on the tripod, these attributesinclude but are not limited to height adjustment, swiveling features,rotating features, and angle face variation.

This embodiment is made of wood, but may be made from other materialssuch as metal, plastic, or other compounds, but are not limited tothese. The connecting device in this model shown uses a threaded insertused to connect the easel arm to the camera tripod. The connectingdevice could be an insert nut, or a specially made threaded insert to bepressed, screwed in, or otherwise secured into the center of the easelarm. The connecting device could be made to be part of the arm itself.The connecting device is what marries the easel arm to the cameratripod. The connecting device should accommodate a ¼ inch machine screwfor present camera tripod mount models, but this can vary to accommodateany type of past, present, or future camera tripod mount, or othersupport mechanism. This embodiment is designed to attach to an existingcamera tripod, but is not limited to such. A specific and distincttripod made to be used for both a camera and the easel arm, could alsobe created.

Detailed Description of the Specific Embodiment Description of FirstEmbodiment FIG. 1A-1E—Single Easel Arm w/ Threaded Insert

The embodiment presented here in FIG. 1A is the easel arm (1) with aninsert nut, or a threaded insert (2) as the connecting device mountedsecurely into the center of the arm (1). The single arm (FIG. 1A) holdsa work piece securely on two sides by way of the sliding bar clamps (8).However manufactured, the connecting device is secured into the middleand center of the easel arm (1).

FIG. 1B is a side view of the easel arm (1). A hole (3) is drilled inthe center of the arm (1) for the connecting device (here an insert nut(2)), to be inserted and secured into the arm (1). Another small drillhole (4) is made in the arm for the nipple guide (5) on the mount (7) tobe inserted when attaching the arm (1) to the mount (7). The connectingdevice (2) here as an insert nut (2) has inner threads (¼ inch in thiscase) for the screw (6) on the mount (7) to screw into and be secured.

FIG. 1C teaches how the mount (7) is guided into the easel arm (1). FIG.1D shows the arm (1) mated to the mount (7) by way of the connectingdevice (2) and nipple guide hole (4).

FIG. 2A is a side view of the easel arm (1) attached to the mount (7)and here mated to a camera tripod (13). FIG. 2B is a side view of theeasel arm (1) attached to the tripod (13) and with the sliding barclamps (8) fastened to the arm (1). FIG. 2C is an example of a mountemploying a rotational ball (14). This design allows for the mount toswivel, tilt, and rotate.

FIG. 3A illustrates a canvas (15) being mounted on the tripod (13)through the attached easel arm (1) and held in place with the slidingbar clamps (8). FIG. 3B illustrates how the canvas can be manipulatedand positioned according to the attributes afforded in the tripoddesign. FIG. 3C illustrates the canvas (15) being manipulated into ahorizontal position (used by many watercolorists). FIG. 3D shows how theswivel or rotational feature of the tripod mounting head mechanismrotates the canvas 360 degrees in either direction while in a horizontal(not limited to such) position.

Operation of First Embodiment FIGS. 1A-1D, & 2A-2C, & 3A-3D—Single EaselArm with Threaded Insert

The easel arm (1) attaches and is mated and secured to the camera mount(or other similar mating mechanism) (7) by screwing the mounting screw(6) into the inner threads of the threaded insert (2) in the easel arm(1). If there is a stabilizing nipple(s) (5) on the camera mount (7),this is lined up and inserted into the hole (4) on the easel arm (1) tokeep the mounted easel more secure.

The sliding bar clamps pictured here (8) slide on or over the easel arms(1) and are secured to the arm (1) with the thumb screws (12). Thecanvas (15) is secured onto the easel (1) by being sandwiched (FIG. 3A)between the sliding bar clamps (8). The secured canvas (15) can then bemaneuvered and positioned being limited to the functions afforded by thecamera tripod (13) to benefit the user.

Description of the Second Embodiment FIG. 1E—Double Easel Arm w/Threaded Insert

In FIG. 1E we have a double easel arm (1 and 9) attached together in acrisscrossed fashion. Again, the connecting device (2) here is an insertnut (2) (with inner ¼ inch threads) inserted and secured into the centerof the central arm (1). The central arm (1) connects to the mount (7) inthe same fashion as the single arm embodiment. The two arm embodimentadds extra support for the canvas by gripping the work piece on all foursides.

Operation of Second Embodiment FIGS. 1E—Double Easel Arm with ThreadedInsert

The mounting mechanism (7) is screwed into the connecting device (2) inthe easel arm (1) and re-attached to the tripod (13). The canvas (15) isnow secured by the sliding bar clamps (8) on all four sides instead ofjust two in the single arm embodiment.

Description of Alternative Embodiments FIGS. 4A & 4B—Wall Mount andTelescoping Arm

FIG. 4A is an example of how the easel arm (1) can be attached to amounting mechanism (7) and camera mount head (14) which is also attachedto a wall mount (18) instead of a camera tripod (13) and allows theartist or presenter the ability to rotate and tilt his work piece whilebeing mounted on a wall. This saves space in the artist's studio, orgives a presenter an option for displays. The wall mount could bestationary or be equipped with a sliding mechanism to adjust the height.

FIG. 4B shows how the easel arm (1) with the embedded connecting device(2) can be attached directly to a telescoping arm (20) (howeverdesigned) that is attached to a wall mount (18), enabling the canvas tobe adjusted for distance and height, and even with rotating featuresfound on the head mount (14). This is an example of what can be donewith a telescoping arm (20) with this direct attach easel arm (1) andconnecting device (2), but is not limited to this design and scenario.

Operation of Alternative Embodiments FIGS. 4A & 4B—Wall Mount andTelescoping Arm

The artist or presenter can directly attach the easel arm (1) to themounting mechanism (7) and this is held in place with the nipple (5) onthe mount (7) pushed into the drill hole (4) on the easel arm (1). Thedetachable head mount (14) could be used to interface with the wallmount (18) and the easel arm (1), or attach directly to the wall mount(14). Existing tripod head mounts (14) can be used, or speciallydesigned similar mounting mechanisms (7) for just this purpose can beused to join the embedded connecting device (2) in the easel arm (1)with the mounting device (7) and easel arm (1).

The telescoping arm (20), gives the user the added ability to adjust thedistance of the work piece from himself to a more comfortable distance.The easel arm (1) attaches to the mounting mechanism (7) on thetelescoping arm (20) and is pulled out or pushed in, or otherwisemaneuvered depending on the design of the telescoping arm (20). Theartist can then sit and adjust the distance of the work piece, ormaneuver the workpiece to the desired position. A stationary or slidingwall mount (18) is attached to the wall (19). The telescoping arm (20)is attached to the wall mount, and in this design the tripod head (14)connects to the other end of the arm (20) which then connects to theeasel arm (1). The tripod head (14) with rotational features will allowthe work piece to be rotated and tilted along with adjusting thedistance and height. All these options give the artist the addedability, ease, and comfort to focus more on his creation.

Construction of the Embodiments

The construction of these embodiments are simple. The easel arm (1) inthis case is made of ½ inch thick wood (poplar or oak) with a width ofapproximately 2 inches and 24″ long.

These dimensions and materials can be varied using the same basic designemployed here. In the center (both length and width) of the easel arm(1) a hole is drilled (3) (about ⅜-inch-wide in this case) through thecenter arm(s) (1) for the threaded insert connecting device (2) to fitinto, and be secured. This threaded insert could be an insert nut orsome other threaded insert that is secured into the hole (3) of theeasel arm (1). The threaded insert should be compatible with the present¼ inch machine screw threads found in most camera mounts.

In the two arm model (1E), the central arm (1) is notched out on bothsides in the middle so side arms (9) can be fitted and secured into thecentral arm (1). In this case with glue.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATION, AND SCOPE

The reader will see that at least one embodiment of the easel armutilizes the already designed and manufactured aspects of preexistingcamera tripods, and adds the extra utility of a clamping easel toprovide rotational, tilting, and height adjustments normally not presentin the standard easel alone.

The direct attachment feature of this embodiment eliminates the need foran intermediate carriage bracket to interface between the easel arm andthe camera tripod mounting device.

The use of readily obtainable materials and hardware is desirable foreasy replacement and repair of the embodiment. However, the envisionedembodiments are not limited to preexisting parts.

The easel arm and any of the parts can be made of any suitablematerial—plastic, wood, metal, or composite material, but not limited tosuch, and be constructed in any size, shape, or color.

This embodiment is envisioned and designed for use by an artist or apresenter to provide extra functionality in their workspace. However,other unintended uses and variations could also be made of thisembodiment using this general design. For instance, the easel assemblycould be different (using a different mounting mechanism); and/or usingan additional sliding or stationary wall mount or a telescoping armattached to a wall mount (18) that allows for a tripod head (14) to beconnected to the other end of the extended arm—instead of a tripod, butnot limited to these other possibilities. The easel arm (1) would stilldirectly attach to the different mounting mechanisms (7) and heads (14).

This embodiment could also be motorized so that the easel assemblyattaches to a different mount (7) other than the camera tripod mountsand can be mechanically and remotely adjusted. A specially designedtripod or similar structure could be built specifically for easel usewith the necessary specifications for that work load, and may alsocontain camera capabilities for extended utility—all using thisdirect-attach design.

What I claim is:
 1. An easel arm that attaches directly to a mountingmechanism comprising: at least one easel arm with an embedded connectingdevice secured into the center of said arm(s) allowing for the directattachment of said arm(s) to said mounting mechanism, and may include atleast one hole on said arm to mate with a nipple(s) on the mountingmechanism.